News
Zurich GI appoints head of customer, distribution and marketing
Zurich Insurance Group has named Dirk De Nil as head of customer, distribution and marketing for its general insurance business.
Tropical cyclone Oswald writes off Bundaberg homes
Homes in the city of Bundaberg, Queensland are likely to be a total loss following the passage of Tropical cyclone Oswald according to Cunningham Lindsey
Superstom Sandy strikes Aspen results
Aspen Insurance Holdings reported a combined ratio of 108.0% or 72.0% excluding catastrophes, pre-tax and net of reinsurance and reinstatements, for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with a combined ratio of 114.3% or 85.9% excluding catastrophes for…
Catlin strategy results in growing non-UK GWP contribution in 2012
Catlin recorded a 12.6% improvement in its combined operating ratio for 2012, in a year in which 49% of the firm’s total annual gross written premium of $4.97bn (£3.16bn) was produced by non-London/UK hubs.
Lockton expands in Australia
Lockton has expanded in Australia with the purchase of Melbourne-based niche insurance broker Strategic Insurance & Risk Solutions.
Hong Kong Federation of Insurers warns of over-regulation
A senior member of the HKFI wants important changes made to the proposed remit of the new Hong Kong independent regulator, as the industry moves away from self-regulation.
Australia claims in 2013 top AUS$670m
Four disasters across Australia in 2013 are expected to cost insurers more than AUS$670m as claims continue to come in.
"On request" system better for GI says Bernardino
A shift towards mandatory commission disclosure for Europe’s general insurance intermediaries is unnecessary, according to the head of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority.
Takaful not confined to "bread and butter" lines
The retakaful industry is no longer plagued by the lack of capacity it was in its early years, according to Mahomed Akoob.
RFIB launches Bellarmine rebrand
Broker RFIB is to rebrand its RFIB Specialist Risks business as Bellarmine.
CMC closed and two fraudsters behind bars following IFB investigation
A claims management company has been shut down and two fraudsters jailed after the Insurance Fraud Bureau and Metropolitan Police exposed a ‘crash for cash’ fraud ring worth potentially millions of pounds.
Crawford makes double hire on UK general property team
Loss adjuster Crawford & Company has recruited a new operations manager and field team manager on its UK general property team.
Middle East Insurance Forum: Diversified distribution essential for Middle East insurers
Insurers in the Middle East need to diversify their distribution networks in response to changing consumer behaviour, according to industry specialists at the Middle East Insurance Forum.
Markel hoping to close Alterra purchase in April
Markel president William Stovin has told Post the firm hopes to have fully acquired Alterra Capital by the start of Q2.
Report reveals identity of 'best and worst' claims teams of 2012
A report into which insurers possessed the best and worst performing claims teams last year has been published - with Catlin in the top spot and Zurich and RSA languishing at the bottom of the table.
Middle East Insurance Forum: Talent remains a challenge for growing GCC insurance industry
The Middle East can learn lessons from more mature insurance markets but needs to focus on strengthening its domestic talent pool, according to Enrico Bertagna.
Eastern European wind now more 'bankable'
As manufacturer and developer ambitions escalate, Eastern European wind energy projects are becoming increasingly ‘bankable’.
April appointment strengthens PMI broker market offering
April has named Duncan Craig as broker development manager as part of the health insurer’s plans to expand across the UK.
BISL and RSA among firms topping affinity partnership value table
Research into the effectiveness of personal lines affinity schemes has uncovered the identity of firms rated as offering the best partnership value.
Argo is back in profit in 2012 despite $47.9m superstorm Sandy hit
International specialty insurer and reinsurer Argo has reported post-tax income of $52.3m for the year ending 31 December, recovering from a loss of $81.9m in 2011.
Scor sees 48% growth in Asian treaty business at January renewals
During the January renewals, Scor Global P&C has reported a 9% increase in gross written premiums (to Euro 2.507bn) with an expected 1.3% improvement in technical profitability for total contracts renewed and a price rise of 1.9% net of general inflation.
Improved commercial property returns in 2013 forecast by L&G
Legal & General Property director of research Rob Martin this morning forecast improved UK commercial property returns in 2013, with a continued polarisation between the best and worst opportunities.
Argo swings to $52m net income for 2012
International specialty insurer and reinsurer Argo has reported post-tax income of $52.3m for the year ending 31 December, recovering from a loss of $81.9m in 2011.
Beazley CEO downplays M&A interest amid plans for repeat of 2012
Beazley chief executive Andrew Horton has played down the likelihood of acquisitive movement at the specialist insurer in 2013 and is instead aiming for a repeat of the previous year in terms of growth.